Benue State governor has fired back at former senate
president, David Mark for recently mocking him over the alleged distribution of
wheelbarrows to Benue youths.
Mark had while commissioning Brick House and the chapel at
government house, Port Harcourt, mocked his state governor, Ortom for
distributing wheelbarrows while others were busy building roads and brides.
“While people are commissioning rods, commissioning bridges,
commissioning good projects, in my own state, Benue, we are giving out wheel
barrows to empower people, so you can compare and contrast,” Mark, who represents
Benue South in the Senate had said.
Reacting, however, Ortom said Mark’s comment showed that he
was only envious of his achievements after failing to make any impact as number
three in the nation for eight years.
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,
Tever Akase said “We listened to the comments made by the Senator Representing
Benue South Senatorial District, David Mark at a function in Port Harcourt
where he compared developments in Rivers and Benue States.
“Mark accused Governor Samuel Ortom of ‘giving out
wheelbarrows to empower people’ when, according to him, other states are
commissioning projects.
“We do not intend to belabour the issue of wheelbarrows
which we have already made clarification that the carts were donated by the
National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons,
NCFRMI, for victims of armed herdsmen attacks in the state. Perhaps only
Senator David Mark is not aware of this fact.
“Mark’s statements smack of a man who has obviously been
disconnected with the very people who voted him. His utterances also exude envy
against Governor Ortom who is succeeding where Mark has failed. In Benue South
which Senator Mark represents, the Ortom administration has embarked on a
number of projects for the people.
“Agatu which is a local government area under David Mark’s
senatorial district affected by herdsmen attacks is today peaceful owing to the
security initiatives of Governor Ortom. The people of the area have not hidden
their joy and have been appreciating the Governor for ensuring the return of
peace. We are not aware of any effort Mark has made to curb the crisis as a
serving senator representing the people of that part of the state.
“Senator Mark certainly owes the people of Benue South an
explanation on why the Otukpo-Enugu federal highway is still a death trap after
many years that the contract was awarded by the government. Mark used the road
project and his perennial promise for the creation of Apa State as campaign
lullabies just to ensure his return to the red chamber of the senate on five
occasions.
“It is rather unfortunate that Mark has failed to see the
deliberate underdevelopment of the state by the government of his political
party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, particularly the part of the state which
he has represented as senator for nearly 20 years. It is within the same period
that Mark rose to become President of the Senate, the number three helmsman in
the country for eight uninterrupted years and had ample opportunity to address
the development needs of the people.
“Township roads in Otukpo where Mark lives anytime he is in
the state were abandoned by the PDP administration with Senator Mark doing
nothing for as many years as their government lasted in power until the All
Progressives Congress, APC, administration assumed office and concerted efforts
at addressing the neglect of the town commenced.”
By Ameh Comrade Godwin
